Chapter One
Lady Verina Fulton looked out the window of their carriage.
She was eager to visit with Cousin Tia, who had wed Lord Merriman this past summer.
Verina and her sister Justina had grown close to Tia and her twin sister Lia when the twins’ father had passed suddenly before their come-out Season.
Mama, who was a favorite in their extended family, had wanted to comfort the twins’ mother, her aunt Alice, who was Mama’s closest friend.
So Mama had brought Verina and Justina with her to Millvale.
They had stayed a few months at the ducal estate, and then Mama had invited them back to Traywick Manor in Cumberland.
All those months had created a firm foundation of friendship between the four cousins, and she could not wait to meet Tia’s new husband.
She glanced over at Justina, who sat with her eyes closed.
Her sister was only a year younger than Verina, but they could not be more different.
Where Verina looked forward to making her come-out into Polite Society next spring, Justina had no interest in attending balls and parties, much less finding a husband.
Mama still hoped that Justina would change her mind about things, which might be possible as she watched Verina go through her come-out Season next spring.
For now, they would spend time in a part of England new to them.
Merrifield was located in Norfolk, just west of Thetford, and was right on the border with Suffolk, the opposite side of England from where Traywick Manor stood.
She looked forward to not only being with her cousin but meeting new people as she had when they had gone to Millvale two springs ago.
Willowshire had also been a new part of England for her to see, and though she loathed long journeys by carriage, she had enjoyed the passing scenery over the last several days.
Her brother, who sat opposite Justina and her, stretched his long legs, their gazes meeting.
“We should be at Merrifield very soon, according to Lord Merriman’s directions,” he said.
The earl had enclosed his own letter of welcome along with Tia’s, inviting them for an extended visit to Merrifield.
“I wish you could stay longer, Tray,” she told her brother.
“I can stay for a couple of days, then I must return and visit with my business adviser and solicitor in town.”
Verina thought about how her brother had been forced to grow up rather quickly.
Their father and brother Lucius had perished in a horrific carriage accident when Tray, the oldest of the four siblings, was only ten years of age.
While a guardian had been appointed for him before he reached his majority, overnight, Tray had become the man in the family, assuming many responsibilities.
He had taken an active role at Traywick Manor, his country estate, and he was beloved by their tenants.
Tray had recently finished his studies, and though Verina had not asked, she supposed her brother would be looking for a wife.
Though he was young, Tray was mature beyond his years, and he would be aware, more than most, of how he must provide an heir.
“Tray, have you thought of taking a wife?” she asked.
He laughed easily, causing Justina to open her eyes and add, “I think you should do so.”
“Since when have the two of you planned my life? No, little sisters, my goal is to see the two of you securely wed before I take care of myself. After all, I am young. It is more important for me, as the head of our family, to make certain of your futures before I see to my own.”
“What if you fall in love?” asked Justina. “It seems that runs in the family.”
Her sister spoke of the love matches six of their cousins had made. Their extended family was made up of three different ones—the Worthingtons, Alingtons, and Fultons. All four Worthington cousins, along with two of their Alington cousins, had made love matches over the past few years.
Verina did not think love was for her. Though she was eager to wed and start a family of her own, she did not believe lightning would strike again in her case.
Of course, her own parents had been a love match, something quite unique for their time, and Mama had never remarried after Papa’s untimely death.
Mama mourned her husband to this day, but she still went on about her own life cheerfully, being a wonderful example of how to live a good life, being kind to all.
“I know love exists because I saw it between Papa and Mama,” Tray said thoughtfully.
“However, I want you to know that, despite what has happened for our cousins, love matches prove to be quite rare within the ton. When I do seek a bride on the Marriage Mart, I will look for someone who will make for a good countess. Love will play no part in my decision.”
“I wonder if Tia and Lord Merriman are like Val and Eden,” mused Justina. “They seem to kiss all the time.”
“Lord Merriman must be very special for Tia to have wed him,” Verina commented. “You know Tia had always spoken of having a Season of fun before she settled into marriage after a subsequent Season or two.”
“Well, we will soon meet Lord Merriman for ourselves,” Tray said. “By my estimate, we should reach Merrifield in the next half-hour or so.”
Tray proved to be correct. Twenty minutes later, they turned off the main road, and the carriage drove up a lane lined with large trees. No matter where they visited, England seemed to be extremely green, and Norfolk was no exception.
Their coachman turned into the circular drive in front of the house, and Verina saw Tia dash out the door.
The sunlight struck her cousin’s strawberry blond hair, and she recalled how all their Worthington cousins had varying shades of red in their hair.
Following Tia was a very tall man with jet-black hair.
He looked lean but strong, and he joined Tia, slipping an arm about her waist as the carriage came to a halt.
Tia waved madly at them. Her cousin rushed to the carriage as the footman opened the door and Tray emerged.
“Tray!” called Tia. “How good to see you again. We were not expecting you. Just Aunt Agnes and the girls.”
The cousins embraced, and he turned to hand down his sisters. More hugs were exchanged, and then Tia turned and went to her husband, looping her arm through his, bringing him closer.
“Cousins, this is my husband, the most wonderful man in the world. Hugo, this is Tray, the Earl of Traywick, and Verina and Justina, whom you’ve heard so much about.”
Greetings were exchanged, and Verina thought how handsome Lord Merriman was, his black hair and brows an interesting contrast with his gray eyes. Her cousin was a very fortunate woman because Verina could see how he looked at her with love.
“You must call me Hugo,” the earl said. “I have been told by others in the family . . . that you ten cousins are quite informal when in one another’s company in private. That goes for the spouses, as well.”
“We are happy to do so, Hugo,” Tray said for the three of them.
“But wait!” Tia cried. “Where is Aunt Agnes?”
“Mama is caring for Mrs. Walters, a distant cousin,” Verina explained.
“She received a letter just before we left Cumberland. Mrs. Walters had taken a fall. She is a recent widow and had no one else to come and assist her. Mama rode as far as town with us, and we left her in the Fulton townhouse to care for her cousin. Tray went and fetched Mrs. Walters, so they will have the London staff to take care of them.”
“Oh, I hope it is not serious,” Tia said.
“Mrs. Walters broke her arm,” Justina informed them. “It is more of an inconvenience, Mama said. She knew her cousin was lonely, however.”
“And Aunt Agnes felt obligated to help her cousin,” Tia concluded. “It sounds just like her, putting someone else’s needs above her own.” She looked to Tray. “What are your plans? I know we had asked for Aunt Agnes and my cousins to stay through Christmas. Can you spare some time to visit with us?”
“Mama was to have escorted Verina and Justina here. Although I took her place, I can only stay a short while, and then I have appointments in town. I will return to Traywick Manor after that, and then close to Christmas, I will return to town, fetch Mama, and bring her here to celebrate with you. I hope that is not too long for my sisters to stay, Tia. For you, too, Lord Merriman.”
“Hugo,” the earl prompted. “I adore the family I have already met. I know the three of you . . . will be the same. Aunt Agnes, as well. Please, come in and have tea with us now.”
“I am certain you would like to freshen up before tea arrives,” Tia said. “Let me show you to your rooms. Do you wish to share?” she asked Verina and Justina. “We have plenty of bedchambers if you do not wish to do so.”
Justina spoke up immediately. “Verina and I have always shared. I think it would be fun to have a bedchamber of my own for a few weeks.”
“Then come with me,” Tia said.
They followed their cousin up the staircase, footmen bringing in their trunks.
Tia had told them not to worry about bringing a maid or any other servants because she had plenty at Merrifield to share with them.
That would be a good thing because Mama had yet to allow them a lady’s maid.
Their mother had also decided not to replace their governess after Eden left them, thanks to Justina convincing Mama they could continue academic pursuits on their own.
They had done so, continuing to read and write in their journals, as well as study things which interested them.
Once in town next spring, Mama had said she would hire a dance master for them to both take lessons from.